MP calls on DCMS to unlock county broadband

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has called on a Government department to direct funds towards Worcestershire to unlock the superfast broadband network.

The Government today unveiled a £400 million investment programme to support the roll out of digital infrastructure across the UK.

Many parts of rural West Worcestershire are still waiting for upgrades with the latest phase of the Superfast Worcestershire fibre extension project to complete at the end of this year.

Four out of five homes and businesses in the constituency are expected to be connected by the end of 2017 but the Government has committed to full connectivity by the end of the decade.

Harriett commented: “Worcestershire County Council continues to do sterling work connecting new cabinets to the fibre network allowing more people to sign up to a superfast internet connection.

“However there are challenges getting some of the more rural areas properly comnnected and the Government continues to look at projects which can fill in the gaps.

“There is a whole network of fibre which could be used to overcome some of the challenges which Openreach can’t overcome so I hope some of this investment will be directed towards unlocking this fibre.

“There are still thousands of homes in West Worcestershire hoping for a fibre connection and I will continue to work with the local council and lobby the Government to shift funds in our direction to deliver on this important infrastructure project.”